Airmen take first steps with FTAC

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dillon Johnston
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF Mildenhall, England --  In full service dress uniform, a group of brand new Airmen shuffle into the professional development center, unsure of what is to come next. Poised on the edge of their transition from the training environment to the operational world, the anticipation is palpable.

Their first day at the First Term Airmen Center is the beginning of their career in the U.S. Air Force, whether they last four years or 20.

FTAC provides a solid base of information for Airmen to build on, so they can grow professionally and excel in their career fields.

Started in 1977, FTAC was instated to provide Airmen with a simple, streamlined introduction to the Air Force and their first base. The course also offers a chance for new Airmen to meet other Air Force newcomers, as well as commanders and leaders from various squadrons, and to begin networking.

Staff Sgt. Amberlyn Brown, an FTAC instructor at the PDC, originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, said the information offered at FTAC better prepares Airmen to go do their job.

"Students walk away with the proper information (about) Mildenhall (and) transitioning from a training environment," said Brown. "They walk away with all the necessary tools and information."

Brown said she enjoys the ability to give back to the base community by helping Airmen in their transition to the operational world.

"I like that one-on-one interaction with the Airmen," said Brown. "I'm the first NCO (they) get that one-on-one interaction with," she said.

Senior Master Sgt. Jener Tiongson, RAF Mildenhall career assistance advisor, originally from San Antonio, Texas, said he makes a first impression on Airmen new to the Air Force.

"My job is to make sure first term Airmen get from a training environment to a mission-ready environment," said Tiongson.

Tiongson said when he arrived to his first base, there was no FTAC program to help him transition, so he wanted to make sure new Airmen had the knowledge and confidence to do well at their first duty location.

"Hopefully we have given (them) enough tools to get (them) ready to be in the unit, so (they) can be a valued member in the unit," said Tiongson.

Another part of FTAC includes meeting high profile members of the base leadership.

"Most of the people that come here, especially the senior leaders, the chiefs, the commanders, they want to be here," said Tiongson. "They give (the Airmen) that enthusiasm, so (they) can go out there and be a good contributor," he said. "That might sound cheesy, but a happy worker is a productive worker."

Delivering an impressive amount of new information in a timely and orderly fashion, FTAC prepares Airmen to take their first steps toward becoming masters of their trade and valued members of the Air Force.